April 1, 2026. OTTAWA, ON. The Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) welcomes the extension of certain work permit measures for Ukrainians.
The UCC’s Immigration Policy Committee, co-chaired by Olena Bulat and Dmytro Malyk, wrote to the Honourable Lena Metlege Diab, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, advocating for this extension in February, and last week, UCC President Alexandra Chyczij met with Minister Diab.
“The UCC is grateful to Minister Diab for the extension of certain work permit measures for Ukrainians who found shelter in Canada from Russia’s genocidal war of aggression,” stated Chyczij. “The UCC will continue to advocate for a pathway to permanent residence for displaced Ukrainians, but this extension will allow people some predictability and the ability to continue to support their families and contribute to Canada’s economy.”
On March 31, Minister Diab announced that “Ukrainians who arrived in Canada under the Canada-Ukraine Authorization of Emergency Travel (CUAET) and related measures will have an additional year to apply to extend their work permit.” Those who were issued work permits under CUAET and related measures now have until March 31, 2027, to apply to extend their work permit for up to three years.
To be eligible, “Ukrainians and their family members must have arrived in Canada on or before March 31, 2024. CUAET holders who didn’t receive a decision in time to arrive by March 31, 2024, but who were allowed to arrive by December 31, 2024 are also eligible for these measures.”
The news release from the Government of Canada is available here:
